Konkuk University Students Help SMEs Break into Export Markets

[Financial News] Konkuk University's Regional Specialized Youth Trade Expert Training Program (GTEP) unit said on the 29th that it had participated in major international exhibitions in Germany and Indonesia this month, producing tangible results in helping Korean small and medium-sized enterprises enter overseas markets. The students conducted the entire trade process themselves, from market research and buyer development to on-site interpretation, export consultations, and post-exhibition follow-up, serving as on-site problem-solvers.
From the 4th through the 8th, the unit supported two Korean small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to enter the European market at IFA 2026, the world's largest consumer electronics and IT exhibition, held in Berlin, Germany. At the booth of TKK, a company specializing in cordless steam cleaners, students conducted about 30 consultations with local companies from countries including Greece and Germany, highlighting high-temperature steam demonstrations and remote-control functions. After the exhibition ended, the students sent thank-you letters to buyers and led follow-up discussions. Credit checks for potential transactions are now underway.
At the booth of KMS Partner, a company specializing in beam projectors, the students carried out pre-event marketing by preparing and delivering product brochures in German and English before the exhibition opened. As a result, they held consultations with about 50 buyers and secured seven quotation and sample requests. They are also discussing specific sample-provision terms with a Polish buyer.
The unit also made progress in breaking into Southeast Asian markets after its work in Europe. From the 3rd through the 6th, it participated in the 2026 Jakarta International Premium Product Fair in Jakarta, Indonesia, supporting two food and beauty companies and arranging a total of 42 buyer consultations.
At the Cheonnyeonmiin booth, the food company showcased an electrolyte drink and a recovery beverage made with Korean pears, targeting Indonesia's growing population of people who exercise. The products drew strong interest from local buyers. At the Songji Labs booth, the students focused on infant and toddler products and discussed specific requirements for actual exports, including the possibility of obtaining local food and drug authority certification and halal certification, as they worked to secure distribution networks in Southeast Asia.
Even after the exhibitions ended, the students continued their professional follow-up work by categorizing consultation details by buyer and prioritizing those with a high likelihood of signing contracts.
GTEP is a trade talent development program organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA). Konkuk University's GTEP unit plans to continue providing field-oriented support to help Korean small and medium-sized enterprises expand overseas while enabling students to grow into global trade experts with practical skills.  

[email protected] Kim Man-gi Reporter